Let Every Voice Count: Why SQ 836 Matters for Oklahomans Like Me

By Estefania Gruenstein, Oklahoma City

11 October 2025

Hispanic Heritage Month is more than a celebration of food, music, and traditions — it’s a time to reflect on what it means to belong. For me, being a proud Mexican American in Oklahoma means loving my heritage while also deeply believing in the promise of democracy and that every voice matters.

But too often, that promise doesn’t reach everyone. In Oklahoma, there is no guarantee that registered independents can vote in primary elections. If an Oklahoman chooses not to register with a major party — because they value flexibility over rigid partisanship — they are shut out of the elections that truly determine who runs our state.

In Oklahoma, most races are decided in the primaries, long before the general election. That means if you’re an independent, your voice is silenced before the race even starts. This hits younger voters, new citizens, and first-generation Americans especially hard — the very communities who are trying to find their place in democracy. When people feel like their vote doesn’t count, it creates a vicious cycle of disengagement. And democracy cannot thrive when it leaves people out and fails to promote civic engagement.

That’s why State Question 836 matters. It’s simple: SQ836 would create one, unified primary ballot that includes all voters and all candidates, regardless of party affiliation. This isn’t about helping one party or the other — it’s about fairness, it’s about people, and it’s about making sure every citizen, whether they check a box for “R,” “D,” or “I,” has an equal say.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we talk about how our diverse roots strengthen America. Supporting SQ 836 is one more way to honor that — by ensuring that new voices, immigrant voices, independent voices, and every Oklahoman’s voice truly count.

Because when every voice counts, democracy is stronger. And when democracy is stronger, every Oklahoman wins.